Solid Ivanovic makes first final on grass in Birmingham

Top seed Ana Ivanovic reached her first grasscourt final, continuing the commanding tennis in her semi against ninth seed Zhang Shuai.

Without dropping a set en route to the final four, Ivanovic was equally commanding in today's encounter with Zhang, and after a slow 0-2 start, the Serb marched to 6-2 3-0 with nine straight games and winners all over the court. The late rally by Zhang wasn't enough for the Chinese to get back in the match and Ivanovic triumphed 6-2 6-2. All week Ivanovic has never lost more than five games in a match!

Ivanovic's opponent on way to the Premier-level trophy and $120,000 in prize money will be unseeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who recovered from a 5-1 deficit in the first-set tiebreak to take the set 7-6(5) and then cruised through the second 6-1 to beat seed No.16 Casey Dellacqua.

Zhang Shuai and Casey Dellacqua are having a busy day, as they will also play doubles. (photo: Jimmie48)